How to quit a job you love.

I’m in need of some advice. I currently work a job that I love. My boss is awesome and I love working for her and our clients are top notch. There are some problems

1. It is “casual” which basically means I’m paid hourly. If I can’t work, I don’t get paid. Also sometimes work slows down so I miss out on a great deal of pay.

2. I have degenerative disc disease in my back which means some days I’m in terrible pain. The job is very physical and is sometimes close to impossible to get through my days.

3. I don’t get paid a whole lot. It was great when I first started because I was just looking for any job but now I’m at a point where I need to start making some more money. Which led me to getting a 2nd job.

Since April I’ve been working 60+ hours and 6-7 days a week between both jobs. It’s killing me. I never see my partner or my dog and I feel like my head is constantly spinning.

The 2nd job has offered me a full-time permanent position. It is a good salary. 9-5/M-F. Desk job so no stress on my spine. It isn’t my dream job or anything but it is work that I can do and alieviates the issues caused by job #1.

But I absolutely LOVE job #1. My boss is great. I love the work. I just don’t know how to tell her I’m quitting or when. She’s giving me more clients this week because she doesn’t know I’m going to (probably) be leaving soon. I’ve never quit a job I love. I cried when I quit jobs I hated. I just don’t know how to do it. I don’t want to upset her but I know it’s going to. I just really hate this.

I had to do this recently because of relocation. All you can do is be honest – say why you’re going, acknowledge all of the great stuff this job has done for you and thank your boss for all their support. Good luck.

@AmericanAussie: Have you talked to your boss about getting a full time or part time position, rather than casual? Alternatively, could you take the full time job and then do a few hours of the job you love after your full time job?

When I quit a job once, they instantly offered me a full time position. Maybe if your boss knew you were thinking of quitting she might do something similar, or make your hours more flexible.

If not, really all you can do is be honest about why you’re leaving, thank her for the experience and maybe her reference will be able to get you a similar, full time job later on.

@Lovemelovemyhorses: I think if she could she would but she owns the business and is the only “full-time” staff. It’s not really an option as it’s a dog walking/pet-minding service. Not really much room for full-time staff. It just make me really sad. Going to miss the dogs and having a rockin’ boss. I just want to leave on good terms but I know it’ll be hard because I’m her busiest/most flexible/says yes to every job employee (therefore making her the most money). I don’t really want to leave but it’s just one of those things. I know it’s time to move but this is the worst part.

I’ve left my job and come back to it because I was honest with my boss of 8 years about wanting to try something new. He let me stay on in a PRN (as needed) position and hired me back full-time a year later when I wanted to come back. The key was the honest conversation I had with him and the value he placed on me as an employee. If you think you can help her out in the future or even in a pinch of she needs it (holidays, weekends, etc), let her know. Maybe you can find a creative solution. Good luck!

@AmericanAussie: I know how you feel. I am a dog walker as well and have run into my share of issues with not making enough money and having physical issues make walking all day hard. My boss is awesome and I love all “my” doggies. But I’ve had days where I’ve thought I couldn’t keep it up and it made me sad to think I would have to leave my company some day. Luckily for me, my boss has a pretty large (and rapidly growing) company so she needs office staff. I’ll be starting as an office manager in September and I’ll still get to walk some dogs occasionally.

Anyway, maybe you could do a couple of walks on the weekends or in the evening or something? If you really do just have to quit I’d just tell your boss what you wrote here. You love the work and think she is great but you just can’t continue on with the physical and financial issues.

@AmericanAussie: I know it’s hard, but believe me, she’s seen a lot of turnover in her position and will not be surprised. You’ve got to look out for yourself–good for you for taking this wonderful opportunity! Don’t feel guilty or like you have to justify your decision. You shouldn’t be, and you don’t.

Business is business. She’ll understand. And if she doesn’t, that’s her problem; not yours. You should just tell her you have gotten a wonderful full-time job offer that you can’t pass up. Let her know that you’ve loved your time there but don’t equivocate. Don’t say “I’m so sorry, I would do anything to stay here, but I just can’t because (excuse excuse excuse).” Simple, clear, and firm is the best way. You can still be gracious while getting your point across. She should be happy for you. Again, if she’s not, that’s her problem and not yours–and the only reason she would be upset with you is because you’re a good worker and she’s bummed to have to replace you. But again, that’s business and if she’s not willing to offer benefits, paid sick leave, etc. then she really can’t expect her employess to stick around forever.

Good luck! It’s not easy, but this is so exciting for you that you’ve been offered a great FT job!

In my experience, jobs need to be approached like relationships. You can love a person, but if they mistreat you and fail to give a certain level of respect, then you need to get out, no matter how crazy you are about the person. So, a job that only offers causal hours, low pay and poor benefits is not worth it, even though it’s obviously not the bosses fault. I am telling you this from my own experience. I kept being promised a permanent job for FIVE years,* but it never materialised and one day they just let me go. However, because I was a contractor, I had absolutely *no* unemployment rights and have been surviving on a few hundred dollars a month’s work since.

So, my advice is to approach your boss. Tell her how much you love your job, but that the pay/benefits/insecurity needs to be sorted. If she can’t sort it (which it seems like she won’t be able to) then leave. Again, it’s like an abusive relationship. If she is not willing to increase your pay or give you better hours now she likely never will. I am telling you this so that you can hopefully learn from my mistakes. I wouldn’t wish my career mistakes on anyone. I am in my mid 30s and earning what most college students earn in their part time jobs!!!

* Like you, I have health issues. These health issues were a big part of the reason why I stayed so long.

It’s hard but you have to do what is best for you. Even the boss is nice, she will understand that this is what is best for your health and financial situation. Just tell her you love working here and you will miss them.